The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-30
PENSION THE POLICE.
ALDERMAN BCGABT'S RESOL7
TON MELTS WITH FAVOR.

for Faithful C1Lcers When in Need
How the Efficiency Of the Service
Would be Increased Thereby--Vet-
Grams Who Fave Done Good Ser
vice.
Last Wednesday night, at the meeting Of
the City Council, Alderman Bogarr INTRO
duced resolution asking The Police Com
mittce to suggest some plan fer pcl,siolbng
the policemen who had grown old, or who
had been disabled in the city's service.
The resolution was adopted Learning that
the question was causing some discussion
regarding its practcability, NEWS repor-
ter started out TO ascertain the DRIFT of public
opinion on the subject. \ call was made
on Alderman Bogart, and he was asked for
the details Of the contemplated plan.
''ReaIly," said the Alderman, II haven't
heard of any as yet. I simply introduced a
resolution calling for the Police Committee
70 present the details Of such move. For
myself, l think it part Of the ctty's duty
to care for the disabled or supcrannuated
policemen We have good mon on the force,
a fine department, and the way to keep mp
the morale OF the men IS TO show them that
their interests are looked after 1t viii
stimulate them in their duty and raise the
standard of efficiency with men, 10 my
mind. Men vino hal something 10 depend
ON, if they become disabled or were hurt in
the performance OF their duty, would be
better officers
THE EVIL OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM
at is economy, too, for the city TO do
this The police force is restricted 20 Il GER
tain number, and when Il large number OF
old officers are still kept on the rolls it re-
duces the efficiency OF tho department. 10
certain extent These old officers can be
thus retired and now and young men en-
rolled. Again, it is the duty Of the city to
look after its old and faithful servants. a
poliCemaD's task is not the easiest i'll the
world, and when he is disabled in the ser
vice. OF becomes too old for active duty, the
city should see that he is not u burden TO his
friends or the community. 1t is
simple justice. The force is very
efficient now, but think the adoption OF
some such plan would increase its eftici-
epcy to a great extent and stimulate the
officers to renewed exertions to maintain the
standard of the force. | have no details at
hand, nor have studied the matter outside
of the general idea. The Police Committee
will formulate some plan and present it to
the Council, I suppose"
NEEDED INCENTIVE.
Alderman Reid said;
"a policeman hasn't the best position i'll
the world, let me tell you, and he seldom
gets any credit for his work. IL he gets to
row after it is all over, they say he Jagged
,purposely, and was afraid Of getting hurt.
If he isimpetuous and jumps in the first thing
and in trying t prevent fight is shot or
hurt, those self same fault-fnders say he
was too brash and that his fool
ishness did the mischief. Altogether,
the pcliceman's lot is not happy ono. But
this pension business should be seen to
properly. It should not retire an officer
simply because he is old, but only when lac
is incapacitated for duty. And let him have
some choice i'll the matter too. 1t will help
the men If such measure is passed, for
they will feel that if disabled or hurt, they
and their families win not suffer, As it is
now. if an officer is hurt badly or
disabled he suffers for it. There
is no provision for any assistance to him.
Naturally, an officer feels that he must look
out for himself some aad the interests of his
family. After man has served as police
man all his life he is not good for any other
employment, and the result is, burden is
added to somebody. ! am in favor Of the
bill, and viii aid it all ] cam
PoLICEMAN's VIEWS
Several of the officers Of the police force
were interviewed, and all We're pleased to
note the interest taken in their behalf
Its needed, too" said one Of them. III
am killed tonight in "A row VINO will SEE
TO my family? Everyone thinks u police
man has an easy time, but he don't Long
hours, out Ill weather. exposed Co dangers
Of every kind, and literally carrying his
life in his hands, make anything but an
easy Job. | assure you Sti5 q month doHt
pay for everything and if we ask for pen
sion in case we are disabled in doing our
work, I don't see but that we are fully en-
titlcG - it
= idcrmau George ~ Nichols. chairman
OF the Police Committee, was asked If the
committee had made any plans, and lie To.
plied that they had not yet. They will
probably meet soon and discuss the matter
What are your Vows, Mr. Nichols, indt-
vidually, regarding the subject, was asked
Il haven't anything to say Us Yet, - he re-
Piled. 81 hsven't fully thought over the
subject, and do not care to give any opinion
on il yetH
WHAT THE CoMMITTEEMEN THINK.
Alderman w. B. Mol, another member
of the committee, was asked for his opinion
on the proposed measure.
Faithful officers who grow old in the
city's service, or who are injured in the per
forTnance Of their duty, should certainly be
looked after by the city, he replied Tile
old officers should be given the lighter
duties as long ar they are able to do duty and
then retired with pension. Long service
OF faithful work entities them to some such
recognition. But one trouble comes in with
n city like this If employees Of one depart
ment are pensioned Off in this way WHY not
all? For instance, there are the flremen.
They do very arduOus and dangerous duties
aud they are exposed TO many dangers
They often get injured, and surely
their clnims are worthy of recogni-
ton Again, there are the laborels
liz the street department If an emplovc
of this department works faithfully
all his life till he is incapable of further
manual work, why shouldn't he be pom
stoned, tool And if these be admitted, why
not go a step further, and il thero IS a City
Clerk or Treasurer who devotes his time
faithfully TO the city's interests, why not
pension him when old and unable to longer
attend to his duties'
WHEN WILL IT STOPf
"You SEQ There is no stop 10 a pension list
If once the ball IL set in motion That seems
the principal objection to tho measure |
would be- glHd 10 500 II carried ont, and il
may be tie committee, who will meet soon
To discuss the matter, viii be able 60 present
some feasible plan
''Whnt general pitn would you advocate
or rrcfcr" was ashcl
''Wcll, can hardly say vet. Probably
a service OF twenty TO twenty-five years in
TIC force to entitle the officer to tho benefit
q tie half Pay or pension"
ssI.ut sittlto,s~ AZ Officer ,,-os Disabled ~,